Feast of the Cross

In early Christianity, the Holy Cross was very revered. It signified protection, holiness, worship, and blessing to believers everywhere (even before Empress Helen discovered it). In this feast, the churchfocuses on the Holy Cross and how through the Cross, the Lord, descended to Hades to save the righteous. Though the Holy Cross, the Lord opened the doors of the Paradise of Joy again. The Holy Cross is the true power of Christians. 

The church celebrates the feast of the Cross twice, annually. It is celebrated once on Tout 17th (September 28th) and once more on Baramhat 10th (March 26th). The Feast of the Cross shares its tunes with those of Palm Sunday. The lyrics for the Hymn of the Cross (Fai Etav Enf) are: “This is He, Who offered Himself: as an acceptable sacrifice: on the Cross: for the salvation of our race.” The Hymn for King Constantine (Etav En Ni Eskhai) is chanted after the Synexarium reading: This hymn is only sung on the feast of the Cross.

For contemplations on the cross, here’s an article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.

May the blessings of the Feast of the Cross be with you all.

Quote: The cross is our weapon, the cross is our hope, the cross is our confirmation, in our troubles and sufferings.

Quote Author: Doxology of the Cross

Season Date: September 28 / Tout 17

Hymn of the Cross – Fai Etafenf.mp3

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